Towards “green” viscoelastically prestressed composites: Cellulose fibre reinforcement

Qin, Yang; Fancey, Kevin S.

Abstract

With growing concerns over environmental issues, fibre reinforced composites based on renewable, biodegradable low-cost cellulosic/cellulose fibres increasingly attract interest. This paper reports on the first study to produce viscoelastically prestressed polymeric matrix composites (VPPMCs) using regenerated cellulose/viscose continuous fibres. The aim was to demonstrate that this prestressing technique could improve the mechanical properties of a cellulose fibre reinforced composite without the need to increase section mass or thickness. By investigating the viscoelastic properties of cellulose yarn, a suitable load was applied to subject the fibres to tensile creep. The load was then released and the loose yarns were moulded into a polyester resin matrix. Following matrix solidification, the viscoelastically recovering fibres imparted compressive stresses to the matrix. The mechanical properties of these cellulose fibre VPPMCs were investigated by tensile, three-point flexural and Charpy impact tests. Under the creep conditions investigated, the VPPMC samples demonstrated up to 20% increase in tensile strength and modulus and a comparable improvement in flexural properties, compared with control (unstressed) counterparts. Nevertheless, the prestress effect reduced impact toughness by ~30%, by impeding matrix crack formation and promoting fibre fracture. Based on findings from this paper, all-green VPPMCs may be achieved in the future by considering potentially suitable green resins.

Citation

Qin, Y., & Fancey, K. S. (2018). Towards “green” viscoelastically prestressed composites: Cellulose fibre reinforcement. Composites. Part B, Engineering, 154, 439-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.08.096

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 23, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Aug 27, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 28, 2019
• Journal: Composites Part B: Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1359-8368
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 154
• Pages: 439-448
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.08.096
• Keywords: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Residual/internal stress; Mechanical testing; Viscoelasticity
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1076313
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359836818309235?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in Composites part B: engineering, 2018. The version of record is available at the DOI link in this record.
• Contract Date: Sep 27, 2018